URGENT: Time is short for these men:
A letter from Linda Liebowitz of The Edmonton Chapter to
'Stop Secret Trials and Deportations'

August 29, 2005


To: Prime Minister Paul Martin 
    Ann McLellan 
    Joe Volpe 
    Monte Kwinter 
    Rahim Jaffer, MP for Edmonton-Strathcona 

Honourable  Ministers.

I am writing to you once again in my capacity as volunteer
spokesperson role for the "Edmonton Campaign to stop Secret
Trials and deportations". I have written many times as have
my fellow members of ecawar www.ecawar.org  and many other
concerned groups in Edmonton.

I am now pleading with you to show mercy to my friend and
fellow human being Mr. Hassan Almrei.

Although in poor health and financially struggling I managed
to be funded by good people who paid for my recent trip to
Ottawa and Toronto.  The situation is atrocious and one only
has to hear both sides of Hassan's story to feel compassion.
I sat in court and heard, first hand, the suppression of
most evidence against Mr. Almrei. The lack of evidence shown
in court during a bail hearing was not named as being
"suppressed evidence" but as in such a  political climate
these days was constantly referred to as "protection of
National Security".

Mr. A. Trudeau inspired me in a simple sentence, when asked
why was he offering $5,000 in bail for Hassan. He answered
simply " For my country ". The guards from the prison were
also brave and honourable men who worked day in and out with
Mr. Almrei. They had nothing but positive comments to make.

I have spoken with Hassan and he is willing to die
because of the injustice of a government who no longer
seems to be an autonomous country but  is given to following
the lead of the US regarding "POTENTIAL TERRORISTS".

You may remember the case of Bobby Sands and other IRA
prisoners who went on hunger strike in 1981. Ten of these
hunger strikers died after periods varying from 46
to  73 days (with an average around 60 days), after first
sustaining serious organ damage such as blindness. This was
a dark period in British History and never to be thought of
with anything but shame.

We have done so much to reach you in peaceful ways like
marches, information evenings, demonstrations and polite
letters. This time I am appealing, not to the political nature
of a man or woman but to heart of one human being to another.
Please show mercy as this man and Mr. Mahjoub will very
likely die. I saw the same scenario played out while living
in the UK where I was born. The coming together of a people,
whether politically at odds or friends, when the death of
Bobby Sands was announced was astounding. People grieved
no matter what side of the issue they had taken.

Please make Canada the wonderful place itcan be as when I
first took citizenship 32 years ago. I was proud and happy
that day and for many years afterwards. The face of Canada
can remain that of a peace keeping nation which treats all
races, religions or colour to a fair and honest trial. I
know your work is that of a politician but common sense and
a heart are necessary for Canada to continue to have the
reputation, internationally as an example to those countries
who look to us as a model for a good society.

I am begging for mercy for Mr.Almrei and Mr. Mahjoub. 

Sincerely
Linda Leibovitz 
Vilna, Alberta

   
"Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator.
Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander."( Anon.)

The Edmonton Chapter to 'Stop Secret Trials and Deportations'
Spokesperson: Linda Leibovitz
http://www.ecawar.org  

http://www.zerra.net/freemohamed
http://www.homesnotbombs.ca
http://www.adilinfo.org

Email questions to:
weemamma@telus.net